Load-handling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Load-handling apparatus including a mounting frame, a main boom pivotally connected at one of its ends to the frame, and a jib boom pivotally connected to the opposite end of the main boom. The jib boom includes a telescoping extension section and a motor for extending and retracting the same. A power-operated device is connected to the outer end of the extension section for extension and retraction therewith. Elongated flexible power-supply lines for the power device and the extension motor extend along the jib boom, are trained over a sheave at the pivot connection between the jib and main boom, and then extend along the main boom toward the frame. Line take-up means on the main boom is operable to take up and pay out slack in such lines produced by extension and retraction of the jib boom. The main and jib booms are operated by elongated rams. The main boom ram is pivotally connected at its cylinder end to a midregion of the main boom and at its rod end to the mounting frame in a region spaced laterally of the pivot connection between the main boom and frame. Fluid supply and exhaust lines connect to the cylinder end of the ram adjacent its pivotal connection with the main boom.

United States Patent [191 Faust 1 LOAD-HANDLING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Donald M. Faust, Winchester, Oreg.

[73] Assignee: Cascade Corporation, Portland,

Oreg.

[22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 202,531

[52] US. Cl. 212/59, 212/35, 212/55 [51] Int. Cl. B66c 23/06 [58] Field of Search 212/59, 35, 8 B, 55; 254/178;

Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Attorney, Agent, or Firm.lohn W. Stuart 5 7 ABSTRACT Load-handling apparatus including a mounting frame, a main boom pivotally connected at one of its ends to the frame, and a jib boom pivotally connected to the opposite end of the main boom. The jib boom includes a telescoping extension section and a motor for extending and retracting the same. A power-operated device is connected to the outer end of the extension section for extension and retraction therewith. Elongated flexible power-supply lines for the power device and the extension motor extend along the jib boom, are trained over a sheave at the pivot connection between the jib and main boom, and then extend along the main boom toward the frame. Line take-up means on the main boom is operable to take up and pay out slack in such lines produced by extension and retraction of the jib boom. The main and jib booms are operated by elongated rams. The main boom ram is pivotally connected at its cylinder end to a midregion of the main boom and at its rod end to the mounting frame in a region spaced laterally of the pivot connection between the main boom and frame. Fluid supply and exhaust lines connect to the cylinder end of the ram adjacent its pivotal connection with the main boom.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 2 21974 sum 2 M2 mnmm This invention relates to power-operated loadhandling apparatus. More specifically it relates to such apparatus which includes elongated, flexible powersupply lines therein and to routing and slack take-up means used with such lines.

Load-handling devices which include an elongated main boom pivotally mounted at one of its ends on a mounting frame for swinging relative to the frame, an elongated jib boom pivotally connected to the opposite end to the main boom for swinging relative thereto, and extensible-contractible rams for producing such swinging of the main and jib booms are known. In most of such devices, the ram is operable to swing the main boom relative to the frame is connected at one of its ends to the frame in a region spaced laterally of the booms pivot connection with the frame and is connected at its other end to a midregion of the main boom. Similarly, the ram for swinging the jib boom relative to the main boom may beconnected at one of its ends to the jib boom at a point spaced laterally of the pivot connection between it and the main boom and its other end may be connected to a midregion of the main boom.

In such previous devices, flexible fluid supply and exhaust lines have been connected to opposite ends of the rams with little concern as to the variations in angular relationship between the booms and rams which occur as the booms are swung to different positions. Explaining further, with the main boom in one position relative to the mounting frame, its operating ram may extend substantially parallel to the boom with a relatively short distance separating the boom and ram. As the ram is operated to swing the boom to a different position, the end of the ram connected to the boom remains substantially the same distance from the boom, while the opposite end of the ram is moved to a much greater distance from the boom. Similarly, with the jib boom swung to one position relative to the main boom, its operating ram may be substantially parallel to the boom, whereas when it is swung to a different positioniits end connected to the jib boom swings outwardly and away from the main boom while its end connected to the main boom stays substantially the same distance from the main boom. In such previous devices, then, with flexible fluid supply lines extending along the main boom and connecting at their ends to opposite ends of the rams, sufficient slack had to be provided in the lines to permit swinging of the booms without breaking the lines. Such slack in the lines is not only unsightly, but also leaves loose line portions which are subject to damage during operation.

Such devices also often include extensible jib booms having a base section pivotally connected to the main "boom and an extension section mounted for extension and retraction longitudinally of the base section. Further, power-operated load-handling means may be connected to the outer end of such extension section for extension and retraction therewith. Elongated flexible power supply lines may be connected to the loadhandling means on the outer end of the extension section of the jib boom and also to motor means on the jib boom which is operable to extend and retract the extension section. As the extension section is extended and retracted, means must be provided for taking up and playing out slack in such lines.

A general object of this invention is to provide in such load-handling apparatus operating rams which are positioned in a novel manner and which have fluid supply and exhaust lines routed thereto in a manner which overcomes the above-noted deficiencies of previous devices.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide such apparatus having a main boom ram which is pivotally connected at its cylinder end to a midregion of the main boom and pivotally connected at its rod end to the mounting frame in a region spaced laterally of the pivot connection between the main boom and frame. Further, one set of ends of fluid supply and exhaust lines extending along the boom are connected to the ram adjacent its end which is connected to the main boom. A conduit extending along the cylinder of the ram is operable to channel fluid from one of such lines to the opposite end of the ram. With such positioning of the ram and routing of the fluid supply lines only minimal slack need be provided, since the lines are connected to the end of the ram which will remain substantially the same distance from the main boom throughout operation of the apparatus.

Yet another object is to provide in such apparatus novel rotatable sheaves at the pivot point between the main boom and mounting frame and the pivot connection between the jib boom and main boom, about which sheaves fluid supply and exhaust lines may be trained to maintain in such lines in desired alignment and reduce wear.

Still another object, is to provide in load-handling apparatus including a main boom, an extensibleretractible jib boom pivotally connected at one of its ends to an end of the main boom, and motor means on the jib boom to which a power-supply line is connected for extension and retraction therewith, novel line takeup means for taking up and paying out slack which may develop in the line during operation.

More specifically, such novel line take-up means may take the form of a sheave movable longitudinally of the main boom, about which sheave a portion of the power supply line is trained in a reverse bend, and a spring for biasing the. sheave in one direction along the main boom to maintain tension in the line.

These and other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of load-handling apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation view, with portions broken away, of an upright main boom and an inclined jib boom in the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 of a line take-up sheave in the apparatus with part of the sheave illustrated in cross section and the remainder illustrated in full section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section view taken generally along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2 with portions in cross section and the remainder in full section;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a modified version of load-handling apparatus according to the invention, with portions broken away;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of an upright main boom in the apparatus in FIG. 5, with a portion broken away to illustrate line take-up means within the boom; and

FIG. 7 is a view taken generally alongthe line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings, and first more specifically to FIG. I, at 10 is indicated generally loadhandling apparatus according to the invention. In general terms, the apparatus includes a mounting frame 12, an elongated hollow main boom 14, and an elongated jib boom 16.

Mounting frame 12 includes a substantially stationary portion on one side of which is mounted an upright revolving support 22. Support 22 is rotatable relative to section 20 about a substantially upright axis.

Main boom 14 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the upper end of support 22 by a spindle 26. The spindle extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the boom and provides a pivot connection between the mounting frame and boom, permitting swinging of the main boom relative to the frame.

An elongated, extensible-contractible, fluid-operated ram 30, including a cylinder a and a rod 30b, is operatively interposed between boom 14 and mounting frame 12, whereby extension and retraction of the ram produces swinging of boom 14 about spindle 26. As is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 a rigid mounting plate 32 is secured to, and extends outwardly from, one side of a midregion of boom 14. The cylinder end of ram 30 is pivotally connected at 34 to plate 32 and the rod end of the ram is pivotally connected at 36 to mounting frame 12 in a region spaced laterally of spindle 26.

One set of ends of a pair of elongated, flexible hydraulic lines, or hoses, 40, 42 (best seen in FIG. 2), connect to ram 30 adjacent the end of the cylinder which is pivotally connected to the boom. Line 40 is connected to the interior of the cylinder at its pivoted end. Line 42 is connected to one end of a supply pipe, or conduit, 44 which is secured to and extends longitudinally along cylinder 30a. The opposite end of pipe 44 communicates with the interior of the opposite end of the cylinder. I-loses 40, 42 are adapted to supplypressure fluid to and exhaust pressure fluid from opposite ends of the ram to produce extension and retraction thereof. The opposite set of ends of the lines may be connected to a suitable source of fluid under pressure mounted preferably on, or adjacent, mounting frame 12.

Intermediate portions of hoses 40, 42 extend along and are secured to one side of boom 14 by clamps 46. Adjacent the lower end of boom 14, the hoses extend into the interior of the boom and are trained over a sheave 50 which is mounted on and rotatable about spindle 26. The construction and mounting of sheave 50 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. Sheave 50 has a cylindrical line-training expanse 500 about which a plurality of lines may be trained, and a pair of opposed spaced-apart shoulders 50b, 50c which maintain such lines on the sheave.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, jib boom 16 includes an elongated, hollow base section 56 which is pivotally connected adjacent one of its ends, through a spindle 58, to the upper end of main boom 14. The base section of the jib boom thus is mounted for swinging movement relative to the main boom about a pivot axis provided by spindle 58.

An extensiblecontractible fluid-operated ram 60, including a cylinder 60a and a rod 60b, is operatively interposed between main boom 14 and base section 56 of the jib boom for swinging jib boom relative to the main boom about spindle 58. Ram 60 is connected at its cylinder end through a pivot connection 62 to mounting plate 32 and is connected through a pivot connection 64 at its rod end to jib boom 16 in a region spaced laterally outwardly from spindle S8.

A pair of elongated, flexible, fluid-supply lines, or hoses, 68, are operatively connected at one set of their ends to the end of cylinder 60a adjacent pivot connection 62. Line 70 is connected to one end of a supply, pipe, or conduit, '72 which extends longitudinally along and is secured to the outside of the cylinder of ram 60. The opposite end of pipe 72 communicates with the interior of the opposite end of the cylinder. Hoses 68, 70 thus are adapted to supply and exhaust pressure fluid from opposite ends of the ram to produce extension and retraction thereof. Remainder portions of lines 68, 70 extend along and are secured to boom 14, extend inwardly of the boom and are trained over sheave 50 (see FIGS. 2 and 4), and thence continue downwardly through revolving support 22 to be connected at their opposite sets of ends to a suitable source of fluid under pressure on, or adjacent, the mounting frame.

Referring to FIG. 1, the jib boom also includes an elongated, hollow extension section 76 which is received telescopically in base section 56 for sliding extension and retraction movement longitudinally of the base section.

An elongated hydraulic ram 80, also referred to as power-operated extension, or drive means, disposed internally of extension section 76 is operatively connected at its opposite ends to the base section and extension sections, respectively, and is operable to extend and retract the extension section. The cylinder end of ram 80 projects toward spindle 58 from the rearmost end, 76a, of extension section 76. This end of the ram is connected to base secton 56 of the jib boom by a pair of trunnions, such as that indicated generally in cross section at 82 in FIG. 2, which extend outwardly from opposite sides of the cylinder and are pivotally connected to the base section. The rod end of the ram is connected to extension section 76 of the jib boom by a pair of trunnions, such as that illustrated in cross sec tion at 84 in FIG. 2, which extend outwardly from opposite sides of the cylinder end and are pivotally connected to the extension section.

Extension ram 80 is of the type which has pressure fluid inlet and exhaust channeled through its rod end. Explaining further, fluid supply lines, or hoses, 90, 92 connect to the rod end of the ram. Each of these lines connects with a separate channel extending through the rod of the ram, and such channels communicate with opposite sides of a piston within the cylinder. Supply of pressure fluid through one of the lines provides pressure fluid to one side of the piston and the other line at such time acts as an exhaust line.

Referring to FIG. 1, at is illustrated generally power-operated load-handling means connected to the outer end of extension-section 76. Such includes a mounting plate 102, from which are suspended a pair of elongated, laterally-spaced, opposed tongs 104, 106. The tongs are pivotally connected at their upper set of ends to the mounting plate, permitting swinging of remainder portions of the tongs toward and away from each other. A pair of elongated link arms 108, are pivotally connected at 111 to each other at an adjacent set of their ends, and are pivotally connected adjacent their opposite set of ends to midregions of the tongs. A ram 112 is secured at its cylinder end to the mounting plate and is pivotally connected at its rod end to the pivot connection between arms 108, 110.

Pressure fluid is supplied to and exhausted from ram 112 through lines 116, 118 to produce extension and retraction of the ram. Retraction of ram 112 from the position shown swings tongs 104, 106 together and. subsequent extension will return them to the spaced position illustrated.

Lines 116, 118 and lines 90, 92 connected to ram 80 extend along the interior of extension section 76 and at the region of spindle 58 are trained over a sheave, or guide, 122 mounted on this spindle. Sheave 122 has a construction similar to that previously described for sheave 50. The opposite ends of lines 116, 118, 90, 92 are connected to a fluid power supply source.

Since lines 90, 92, 116, 118 are so connected that they extend and retract with the extension section of the jib boom, line take-up means indicated generally at 130 is provided in the main boom for taking up slack and paying out line as required. The line take-up means includes what may be referred to herein as a take-up sheave 132 which is movable longitudinally of main boom 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, sheave 132 includes an axle 136 which extends laterally of the boom and has rounded ends to minimize contact, and thus friction, between the axle and boom. Journaled on axle 136 adjacent its opposite ends are annular wheel elements 138, 140, each of which has a substantially L-shaped cross section as seen in FIG. 3. The wheel elements are journaled on axle 136 to provide rolling contact between sheave unit 132 and the inner walls of boom 14. A plate element 137 extends about and projects radially outwardly from a central portion of axle 136. Plate 137 is secured to the axle as by welding. A lower portion of plate 137 extends downwardly from the axle, below wheel elements 138, 140, as is seen in FIG. 2. Referring again to FIG. 3, a pair of annular line-training sheave members 144, 146, which are substantially L-shaped when viewed in cross section as seen in FIG. 3, are journaled for rotation on elements 138, 140, respectively, and are disposed on opposite sides of plate 137. An elongated tension spring 148 is connected to plate element 137 and the opposite end of the spring is secured adjacent the lower end of boom 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, another sheave, or line-training means, is journaled on a spindle 152 secured to and extending transversely of the upper end of boom 14. Midregions of lines 90, 92, 116, 118 are trained over the top of sheave of 122, are trained in a reverse bend around the underside of sheave 132, and are trained in a reverse bend over the top of sheave 150. Remainder portions of these lines extend from sheave 150 down through the interior of boom 14, are trained over sheave 50 at the lower end of boom 14, and thence extend to suitable sources of fluid pressure which may be mounted on, or adjacent, mounting frame 12.

Explaining briefly the operation of such loadhandling apparatus, the main boom is positioned as required by selective operation of ram 30 which swings the main boom about a substantially horizontal axis, between positions such as those shown in solid and dotdashed outlines in FIG. 1. Operation of ram 60 swings jib boom 16 to various selected positions relative to the main boom. As will be seen in FIG. 1, as the main boom is swung from its upright position, shown in solid outline, toward the substantially horizontal position, shown in dot-dashed outline, the end of the ram connected to the boom remains substantially the same distance from the boom, while the opposite end of the ram swings away from the boom. With the fluid supply and exhaust lines being connected to the end of the ram adjacent its pivot connection with the boom, only minimal extension of the lines need be provided for. The

same is true with the swinging of ram 60 relative to main boom 14 as ram 60 is operated to swing the jib boom.

Extension ram may be operated to extend extension section 76 of the boom as illustrated in dot-dash outline in FIG. 1 by supplying fluid under pressure to one of lines 90, 92. As the extension section extends, lines 90, 92, 116, 118 are payed out so that they extend therewith. This is permitted by line take-up means 130. Explaining further, with the extension section retracted as shown in FIG. 2, spring 148 of the take-up means bias sheave 132 downwardly in the main boom to the position shown in solid outline, thus to take up slack in the lines. As the extension section is extended, sheave 132 is moved upwardly in the boom by tension in the lines against the biasing force of spring 148, with sheave 132 eventually assuming the position indicated in dot-dashed outline in FIG. 2 when the jib boom is fully extended. Conversely, when the boom is retracted spring 148 moves the sheave back to the position illustrated in solid outline to take up slack.

All lines on the main and jib booms are trained over sheaves at the pivot connections between the booms and the mounting frame, thus to maintain proper alignment and reduce wear of the lines during operation.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a modified version of the invention is illustrated. In this modification, a nonpoweroperated load-handling means, such as hook 166 is connected to-the outer end of the extension section of the jib boom. An elongated fluid-operated extension ram 170, similar to the ram previously described at 80, is mounted within the hollow interior of the jib boom sections and extends longitudinally thereof.

In this modified version of the invention, the rod end 170a of the ram is positioned nearest the pivot connection between the main and jib booms and is connected to the base section through a pair of trunnions. The cylinder end 17% of the ram extends toward the outer end of the jib boom. The cylinder portion of the ram is connected to the extension section of the jib boom by a pair of trunnions which are secured to the cylinder adjacent its end which is nearest the pivot connected between the main and jib booms. Fluid pressure supply and exhaust lines are connected to rod end 170a of the ram. With such construction, the rod end of the ram is substantially stationary with respect to the base section of the jib boom, and thus the only slack produced in the lines which connect to the extension the ram will be produced by variations in the distance from sheave 122 to the cylinder end of the ram as the jib boom is swung relative to the main boom.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a 174 is indicated generally line take-up means for taking up and paying out small amounts of slack thus produced in the lines. Take-up means 174 includes a plurality of line clamps 176 which are secured to spaced-apart portions of the lines. Referring to FIG. 7, a clamp includes a pair of opposed, separable members 178, 180 which, when connected as shown in FIG. 7, provide a pair of parallel openings extending therethrough for receiving lines such as lines 182, 184. A bolt and nub combination 186 extending through accommodating bores in members 178, 180 frictionally secures the clamp members against opposite sides of the lines.

A plate member 190 also is secured to member 178 by the bolt and nub combination. Tension springs 192 extend between and are secured at their opposite sets of ends to plate members 190. When lines 182, 184 are drawn into substantially straight reaches, in the region between clamps 1'76, springs 192 are elongated. When slack occurs in the lines, the springs contract, drawing portions of the lines intermediate the line clamps into serpentine patterns, thus to take up the slack and main tain tension on remainder portions of the lines.

While preferred and modified versions of the invention have been described herein, it should be obvious to those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is claimed and desired to secured by letters patent:

1. Load-handling apparatus comprising a mounting frame,

an elongated, hollow main boom having base and outer biasing means connected to and yieldably urging said sheave assembly toward the end of the main boom opposite its said one end.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sheave assembly. further comprises an axle extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the main boom, an annular line-training member journaled on said axle for rotation relative thereto, and said roller means comprises a wheel element joumaled on the axle for rotation relative to the axle and line-training member providing rolling contact between the assembly and the first-mentioned wheel, said wheel elements having diameters which are slightly less than the width of the interior of the main'boom measured in a direction extending transversely of the axle.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said linetraining member is disposed intermediate said wheel elements and has a diameter which is less than the diameter of said wheel elements.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said wheel elements are journaled for rotation on said axle independently of each other. 

1. Load-handling apparatus comprising a mounting frame, an elongated, hollow main boom having base and outer biasing means connected to and yieldably urging said sheave assembly toward the end of the main boom opposite its said one end.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sheave assembly further comprises an axle extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the main boom, an annular line-training member journaled on said axle for rotation relative thereto, and said roller means comprises a wheel element journaled on the axle for rotation relative to the axle and line-training member providing rolling contact between the assembly and the boom, said line is trained in a reverse bend about said line-training member with reaches of said line extending outwardly therefrom toward an end of the boom, and said biasing means is operable to urge the assembly toward the opposite end of the main boom.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said roller means comprises another wheel element journaled for rotation on said axle and spaced laterally from said first-mentioned wheel, said wheel elements having diameters which are slightly less than the width of the interior of the main boom measured in a direction extending transversely of the axle.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said line-training member is disposed intermediate said wheel elements and has a diameter which is less than the diameter of said wheel elements.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said wheel elements are journaled for rotation on said axle independently of each other. 